Rotorua Review Wednesday 16/07/2014 Page: Section: Region: Circulation: Type: Size: 3 General News Bay of Plenty, NZ 23636 Community 179.00 sq.cms. press clip Council backs neighbours site By AMY CHILDS A NEW social networking website for neighbours will be launched in Rotorua tomorrow at the Rotorua District Council with Mayor Steve Chadwick and other councillors showing their support. Neighbourly is New Zealand’s first private neighbourhood website, and after a successful pilot in Auckland, Neighbour ly.co.nz has launched across the country. Neighbourly co-founder and managing director Casey Eden said the idea for the website came from realising that while we might be well connected with family, friends, work colleagues, and even celebrities and sports teams we didn’t know our neighbours. ‘‘The purpose of Neighbourly is to create a simple platform where neighbours can connect and engage online, ultimately leading to more face to face interactions, and safer, stronger and more friendly places to call home,’’ he said. ‘‘The difference between Neighbourly and other social media sites is that we are a ‘private’ social network in which members join based on a geographic location and can see and interact with others based in the same location. You do not have access to the whole network like Facebook and you do not have to go out and build a group of friends or ‘likes’. Also, we address verify each user and ask everybody to use their real name.’’ Neighbourly is being promoted as a way to network with neighbours and also address crime prevention, or help others in an emergency situation. The pilot launch in five Auckland suburbs saw more than 4000 members sign up and engage with their neighbours. NEIGHBOURLY: The neighbourhood website Neighbourly.co.nz and Rotorua District Council will be announcing a partnership tomorrow – a commitment to work together to create an even better Rotorua. Photo: SUPPLIED This press clip was produced under license and a copyright fee paid. If you intend to copy this clipping (including digital conversion or storage) you must obtain a license from the Print Media Copyright Agency. Ph: (04) 498 4488 or email [email protected] AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected] Ref: 285001829